Rhode Island woman's 1908 farm purchase became a 300-acre wildlife sanctuary

Mabel Norman Cerio bought Paradise Farm in Middletown, Rhode Island, in 1908, developing a deep personal connection to art, wildlife, and conservation over her lifetime. An accomplished artist and avid birdwatcher, she made plans during her life to transform the property into a bird sanctuary. Upon her death in 1949, she left the land to the community through her trust, fulfilling that vision. The property became the Norman Bird Sanctuary, which today preserves 300 acres of coastal habitat and six miles of trails supporting diverse wildlife. Beyond conservation, her legacy encompasses her paintings, sculptural interests, and ties to the European art world.